My First Giveaway!! Woo Hoo!

The Lord is so faithful to use all things in our lives.

He takes painful unwanted situations and brings forth great blessings from them.

That's what He did for me with The Honey Pot.

This time last year, I knew nothing of blogging.

I knew nothing of all of the amazing ladies and friends that were sharing their stories.

I also knew nothing of all the wonderful Etsy shops filled with beautiful handmade "pretties' often made by lovely ladies and moms who are supplementing their family incomes through the talents the Lord has given them.

But then I became pretty much home bound, or you might say "chair bound"and found myself in a place I had never been before.... Totally dependent on others.

I had a severe back injury that eventually led to surgery and when the pain was at its worse,

it hurt to sit_ it hurt to stand_and it hurt to walk.  

It is a humbling experience when you can't put on your own pants, or lift your foot to put on socks or go to the bathroom on your own. I discovered what it's like to have to crawl to get to the next room.

What broke my heart the most was not being able to pick up my grandchildren.

Yet God in His graciousness showed mercy on me and provided a way for some relief through surgery.

It was during this time I was introduced to the world of blogging.

My sweet sis n law { Heather } gave us all some rockin handmade pretties for Christmas and while I had lots of time on my hands as I recovered, I asked her where she learned how to make her gifts.  She turned me on to some awesome blogs and that began a wonderful new journey for me.

I didn't start blogging right away.

I didn't even plan on ever making anything for anyone other than for my daughters and granddaughters.

But as scripture says, "A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps."  
Proverbs 16:9

As the girls began to wear my handmade pretties, people began to inquire about them and eventually I started a blog as a place to "send people" so they could see what all I was making.

Well, again, the Lord had something so much more than that in store with my journey of blogging.

And now it has turned into a place for me to share what He has done and what He is doing in my life and my family. I try to keep it real and be gut honest with y'all about my failures and triumphs all the while sharing the craziness and fun of my wonderful family I get to be a part of.

Just recently I took the plunge and "opened up shop"!

I joined the wonderful sisterhood of so many of y'all who use your creative gifts to bless others while being a blessing to your own family finances.

I am already so blessed by the encouragement and support of so many of you ladies!

Thank you!!

Which leads me to what this post is all about....

My first giveaway!!

Woo Hoo!  Yipee!  Uh- Huh Uh-Huh!

I've been busy in The Honey Pot over the last few days  making these....

I'm just so darn tickled with them!

And this is the one I'm giving away to one of YOU!...

**Sorry y'all.. this give away is now closed!!**

Here are the  ways you can enter to win.
(remember to leave separate comments so that each count!)

1. Just leave a comment.  Easy Peasy.  Whatever you want to say :)

2. "Follow" my blog

3. "Like" The Honey Pot on Facebook
 (you can do that right here without leaving this page...
just check out my super duper new box at the top right side of my blog!)

4. Share it with your peeps...however you want to...tweet, blog, share on fb...
what ever is your thang!

**Don't forget to leave a separate comment for EACH entry!
You got 4 chances if you want em!

Remember to check back on Monday to see who the winner is!
Thank Y'all!!


Stephanie :)


today I'm thankful for:
~my camera~
~a working washing machine~
~my husband being back home~
~a yummy supper~

What I'm Lovin

 Feeling Frilly

Thrift store scores 

These Shoes  for  $2.99

Getting off to a great start.

This smile after gettin her all enrolled for college classes! ~sniff~

Having this save my butt this week... Literally! There used to be a big spot where I sat on a hot wing!

Acessorizen the grand babies.. Made these to match a dress.

Getting this pic taken in their driveway to let me know they made it home safe and sound.

Beach toes!!

Tomorrow, Lord willing, we'll have these buried in the sand.

~squeal~

Stephanie :)

Linking up today with Kristy 

and Jeannett

O Cameo, Cameo! Wherefore art thou Cameo?

 My middle daughter, Lydia, has a slight obsession with cameos.

Ok..those of you who know her are saying..uh, slight obsession?  More like full-on head over heels deep and lasting love is more like it. This is true. 

Most of her "pretty ladies" have been given to her by family and friends.

She has over 50 cameos and although each one that has been given to her is special, 

 I'm gonna just gonna share some of her most special.

This is the one that started it all.

Given to her by Ms Ruby and one of her most treasured of all.

 This was hand made just for Ms Ruby in her likeness many years ago and Lydia was so honored that she would give this heirloom to her.

This is another extra special one given to her by Ms Sherry.

This was Sherry's mother's, Ms Edwina,  who has gone on to be with the Lord.

So beautiful.  Lydia wore it to her high school banquet her junior year.

Again, she was so honored that Sherry would give this to her.

This little trio of prettiness came all the way from Italy.

Ms. Lena gave these to Lydia. Her  husband had brought these back years ago when he was stationed overseas in the military.  Again... super special and she was so honored to be given them.

This little beauty has a "sister"...she's an earring.

Lydia fell in love with them at a little shop called Lah Dee Do in Shreveport, La while we were visiting my momma.  They were a little pricey, but she had her own money and scooped them up without hesitation.  These are probably the ones she has worn the most, by her and ME, which is why she has lost some her bling bling...I SO wished you could have seen her in her prime!!  

This is one her Maw Maw Loni gave to her...

one of her most expensive in the collection and most elegant.

Another one from Loni...this ones a music box.

This is a barrette that one of her sisters bought for her.

 And these beauties came from her Maw Maw Dianne given to her on her 15th birthday.  You can't tell in the picture very well...but they are very unique.. the cameo is etched into the stone.  She found these at a darling little shop in downtown Meridian called Embellishments. 

(I should have taken the backs off for a prettier pic, huh)

This pretty little eclectic girl came from a sweet friend on Lydia's 15th birthday...

***Lydia just read this post and informed that I was the one who gave these to her!  

1. My memory is way bad.  2.  Ain't I a sweet friend Lydia??  ;)  *****

...Lydia's 15th birthday was her "Golden Birthday" so we wooped it up big for her that year.

It was a cameo theme...check out her cake.

 Now, I know some of you are saying to yourself, "what is a golden birthday?"

Well, I'm thinking this is a Louisiana thing...cuz apparently no one else I've met over the years does this, but back home we celebrate "Golden Birthday's".

Which basically is whatever year is your actual birth date..Lydia's was her 15th cuz she was born on July 15. My golden birthday was when I turned 25 cuz my bday is May 25th.  You get the picture.

Do any of y'all do this too?.... or do you have to born and raised in the Bayou State where we have festivals and parties for just about everything. 

Ok..back to the cameos.

Here is her latest cameo that she was given... A cameo t-shirt given to her by Ms Karen.

Ain't it purty?

As soon as I saw it, I knew I would have to borrow it!

that is me in the pics.. not Lydia, who looks way cuter in this outfit but hey

this is my blog.. right! lol.

And this lovely "location' is a little store just down the road from our house that hasn't been open since the 70's or so.  (We live in the Briggs Chapel Community.)

I think the little building is so charming and I would love to "shop" the contents that are still in there!!

t-shirt: gift from friend

skirt: clearance rack at tjmaxx

flip-flops: jcpenny's a hundred summers ago

locket ring: walmart

earrings: hudsons

bracelet: platos closet 

linking up today with The Pleated Poppy

and Kyrstina

Stephanie :)

Beaucoup Bobbie Pins and a Little Lagniappe

I'm about to sit down to create some new stuff and realized it has been a while since I've shared something made in the Honey Pot.  Here is a few things I've been up to...

for sweet Julia Rose who recently turned one :)